Little Wolf's World

Founded in the 1970s, Jews for Jesus practices Judaism but regards Jesus as the Messiah.  Was this written by the Jews for Jesus?  Let's be honest here, if you believe Jesus was the Messiah, you are a Christian.  You stop 'practicing' Judaism at that point.   It is sort of hard to say I am a Jew, but I believe that Jesus was the son of G-D and the Messiah.  They aren't compatible, unless of course I have missed something.

The pamphlets feature an image of Mason next to the words "Jackie Mason ... A Jew for Jesus!?" with information inside that outlines the similarities between Jews and Christians.   Okay, Jews and Christians are similar.  Is there any need to mention Jackie Mason, or have an image of him.   There is a logical reason that they are similar, not having seen the pamphlet I can't say if they discuss that, but the reason is there.

"The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my 'shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts," Mason said in an affidavit.   I don't always agree with Jackie, but I have to say, I would be quite offended myself if somebody was using me to 'attract attention and converts.'   The Messianic 'Jewish' movements have been using bait and switch tactics on people with out a strong Jewish identity or education for years.  This just seems to follow in that path.

Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for Jews for Jesus, said the pamphlet was "good-natured."  Ms. Perlman is likely to be a convert.  But that isn't a reason to dislike her reference to the pamphlet as 'good-natured,' the reason is that it is a lie.   Like many other things that the Messianic 'Jewish' movements do to attract converts, the pamphlet is intentionally deceptive.  Make no mistake on this, they knew exactly what they were doing when the pamphlet was put together and how it would/could be perceived.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/08/25/jackiemason.ap/index.html

One final note, these types of 'campaigns' and marketing ideas get more insidious every year, because the groups need to find new ways to 'get inside' peoples heads and attract attention.   As my wife always says about Jews for Jesus, neither side claims them many Christian groups don't see them as Christians, and no legitimate Jewish group sees them as Jewish.   Basically these are people who are trying to have their cake and eat it, too.

Labels: Commentary

// posted by Little Wolf @ Friday, August 25, 2006